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AMONG THE REFUGEES Copyright 2010 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. 38 Memoirs of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Chanin Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 4 d’var malchus THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF KORACH Sichos In English WHAT KORACH based on an essential truth: [7] “The means “division” or “split,” and our REALLY WANTED entire congregation is all holy; G-d is Sages [10] associate Korach, not in their midst.” only in fact, but also in source, with The name of this week’s Torah Every member of the Jewish these tendencies. reading, Korach, provokes an people has a spark of holiness. Division runs in direct opposition obvious question: It is written: [1] Korach and his followers wanted to the purpose of the Torah which “The name of the wicked shall rot,” this spark to flourish. “was given solely to bring peace to and on this basis, our Sages state [2] Indeed, they were willing to risk the world.” [11] that a person should not be named everything, even their lives, for Why does a name synonymous after a wicked man. heightened spiritual experience. with division serve as one of the Why then is an entire Torah Therefore, even after Moshe had names of the weekly Torah readings? reading named Korach? told them that bringing the incense For with this name, Korach’s offering would cause them to perish, identity is perpetuated forever, since TOTAL ONENESS they did not hesitate and brought the the Torah is eternal. The resolution of this questions offering despite their awareness of Among the explanations given is depends on the definition of the the consequences. [8] that Korach’s desire was, in essence, concept of unity. Naming the Torah reading positive. Absolute, elementary oneness is Korach highlights the potential for Korach wanted to be a High impossible within the context of our spiritual growth each of us possesses Priest, to experience the absolute material world. and the desire we should show to closeness with G-d that results from As Rashi comments: [12] “The make this potential manifest. the entry into the Holy of Holies Holy One, blessed be He, has where His presence was manifest. defined limits in His world. Can you Indeed, when Moshe responded INTENT VS. ACTION turn morning into evening?” to Korach, he did not tell him that This explanation is, however, Every entity has its own distinct this objective was unworthy. insufficient, for good intentions are nature. On the contrary, as Rashi relates, not enough. The concept of division need not, [3] Moshe said that he shared the It is primarily our actions and not however, run contrary to our same desire; he also wanted to be a our intent which G-d judges. endeavors toward unity. High Priest. Whatever Korach’s intentions On the contrary, unity is more Moreover, this is not merely a were, in fact, he created a complete when it encompasses matter of desire. controversy which resulted in the divergent entities, each with a nature At Mount Sinai, G-d told the death of thousands of people. and tendencies of its own and these Jewish people that they are “a This is not a message which entities join together in kingdom of priests,” [4] and our appears appropriate to be complementary synergy. Rabbis interpret [5] this to refer to immortalized as the name of one of This is the intent of the peace the level of a High Priest. our Torah readings. [9] which the Torah was given to Every Jew has this potential Moreover, the very name Korach establish. within him. [6] is associated with division. Not that difference should not As such, Korach’s complaint was The Hebrew root word korach exist, but rather that it should result 4 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 5 in harmony. desires reflected the spiritual heights Romans would sell this office to the There is thus a place for Korach to be reached in the Era of the highest bidder. Therefore, with few in the Torah - for the Torah’s Redemption. exceptions, it was occupied by conception of Korach teaches that Then the Levites (Korach’s tribe) unrighteous men. Because their lack of virtue was not consonant with their division can serve a positive purpose, will be elevated to the station of holy duties, they would die within a and that diversity need not lead to priests, and the entire Jewish people year, and the office would be sold strife. will reach pinnacles of spiritual again. experience, for “I will pour out My On the surface, a question arises. OUR OWN DECISIONS spirit upon all flesh.” [15] The rewards of that age cannot, This was a pattern which continued Nevertheless, G-d desires man to however, be appreciated over an extended period of time, and achieve this unity on his own those bidding for the office knew what prematurely, but can be attained initiative. had happened to the previous High only as a result of our Divine service. He gives man the power - and the Priest and why. It is only through our selfless responsibility - to accomplish this devotion to the Torah of Moshe and And they could not have been totally goal, but also the free choice to ignorant of their own spiritual level. the directives of “the extension of determine the direction of his efforts. Why then were they anxious to receive Moshe in every generation,” [16] This is also reflected in Korach’s this position? Didn’t they realize the the Torah leaders of our people, that conduct. consequences? we can elevate ourselves and the He saw that after the sins of the The answer is that they did. world to the level when “the world Golden Calf and the spies, Moshe will be filled with the knowledge of But they also treasured the opportunity had prayed to G-d and had averted G-d,” [17] with the coming of of entering into the Holy of Holies and Heavenly decrees. experiencing absolute oneness with G-d. Moshiach. Similarly, Korach felt that And for this, they were prepared to give Adapted from: Likkutei Sichos, Vol. V, p. up everything - their fortunes and their although G-d had granted Moshe 114ff; Vol. XVIII, p. 187ff; Seifer HaSichos 5748, and Aharon their positions, through p. 499ff; Seifer HaSichos 5750, p. 526ff lives. See the essay entitled “The High Priest’s Chamber” in Seek Out the sincere prayer, he could affect a NOTES: Welfare of Jerusalem (S.I.E., N.Y., change and achieve his own spiritual 1994). ambitions. 1. Proverbs 10:7. He simply made the wrong 9. The challenge which Korach 2. Yoma 38b. presented ultimately resulted in a choice. 3. In his commentary to Numbers 16:6. strengthening of the High Priesthood, Rather than take the initiative to as reflected in the 24 priestly gifts 4. Exodus 19:6 establish unity by heightening the mentioned in the conclusion of the people’s connection with Moshe and 5. The gloss of Baal HaTurim to the Torah reading. Nevertheless, this does Aharon, he took a different course of above verse. not represent a positive contribution of action. 6. This concept can be illustrated on Korach himself. On the contrary, it was Instead, of seeing the possibility the basis of the Kabbalistic principle through the negation of Korach’s for harmony between differences, he (Tanya, Igeres HaKodesh, Epistle 29) influence that this advantage was caused them to clash. every Jew will reincarnate until he achieved. Korach never realized his fulfills all of the 613 mitzvos. Since 10. Yalkut Shimoni, sec. 991. there have only been a limited number mistake. 11. Rambam Mishneh Torah, the of High Priests in history, how can all His children did, however, conclusion of Hilchos Chanukah. 600,000 Jewish souls fulfill these proclaiming: [13] “Moshe is true, mitzvos? The answer is given that the 12. Rashi, commenting on Numbers and his Torah is true,” realizing that High Priest is a comprehensive soul. He 16:5. the truth which Moshe taught is the has a connection to all the Jews in his 13. Sanhedrin 110a. agent to bring about unity among generation, and through him, it is our people, and enable every considered as if they fulfilled the 14.